call your phone provider to ensure you will have service wherever you are going; whether that be from an e-SIM card, an addition to your current phone plan or apps like WhatsApp that just requires Wifi, it is important you are able to contact both people back home and those with you in-person.
Our class structure also differs heavily from on-campus courses. Instead of meeting two to three times a week for shorter sessions, I have each class once a week for three hours. Most are lecture-style, so we typically get a break in the middle so that we can process the first half of class and reset for the second. I also chose against applying for work placement, so I do not have employment as I usually do in the U.S. and am currently lacking an income, which was all the more reason to save up before the term started.
In general, there have been a lot of minor adjustments to my lifestyle, from grocery shopping at new chains to defaulting to walking on the left-hand of the sidewalk. Despite being here for only just over a month, however, I have had countless experiences that I would likely never have been able to in the States. I am learning about topics my courses do not cover in the U.S., and most of my classmates are people that I hadn't known back in Ithaca. I would also say my confidence has grown while navigating the city and beyond. Next weekend I will be flying out to Venice for my fall break, so stay tuned for pictures from that soon!
Now for the bottom line: studying abroad is an unforgettable experience that I know will stick with me for a while, possibly the rest of my life. So while it may not be for everyone, I truly cannot recommend it highly enough.
